IS WILLY INVITING ME TO PLAY OR INVITING ME TO “DINNER?”

IS WILLY OK WITH THIS?

Originally Published the Week of June 15, 2025 in Western Outdoor Publications

Down here in La Paz where we’ve run our fishing operation for some 30 years now.  There’s a fishing area that’s really popular. And it can have some spectacular fishing.

It’s the area between Punta Arenas and Cerralvo Island.  It’s known for big fish…lots of fish…specifically at times of the year it’s famous for roosterfish.

Back-in-the-day, there would be us and maybe another fleet or three or four.  At most, maybe 10 pangas fishing the whole area. 

It often felt like the whole Sea of Cortez was yours. 

Over the years, it has grown tremendously in popularity.

Especially during this time of year, there can be dozens of pangas on the water.  Everyone still does well, but sigh…it does make one long for the “good old days.”

There’s room on the ocean for everyone, I guess.

The only ones we’ve really come to hate is when Mexican or Asian commercial fishing vessels have intruded into the area and “harvested.” 

One wrap…two wraps of giant nets and the ocean goes empty.  Laying long lines  across the ocean and so many indiscriminate species are killed.

Well, that subject is for another article and another day.

Lately, when out on the water, we’ve noticed helicopters buzzing the fishing grounds. That kinda sends shivers because the commercial big boys use choppers to spot the schools of fish. 

Everyone goes on alert.  Hackles are up.

But, as we’ve come to find out, these choppers aren’t looking for schools of fish.  At least not in the traditional senses.

We’ve noticed a lot of strange pangas and boats chasing around and following the choppers too.  They’re full of tourists not fishermen!

We’ve seen 6, 8…a dozen pangas running helter-skelter all over under the choppers.

What’s going on?

Well…here’s the latest…

The boats are full of folks wanting to swim with orcas.  Yup…that’s right Killer Whales. Willy and friends!

“Go Ahead!  You Jump In First!”

The biggest smartest apex predator in the ocean.  Great white sharks?  C’mon…killer whales eat them for breakfast!  Funny dolphins?  They look so cute in the ocean!

I was on a fishing boat once.  I saw an orca toss a dolphin up out’ve the water.  In mid-air it caught the spinning dolphin and crunched it in a huge spray of blood.

Uh…we moved our boat.  No fish gonna be around after that!

I’ve seen killer whales toss sealions in the air like nerf balls!

So, all these companies are now selling “Swim with the Orcas” trips!

Yes, you too can jump in the water with these giants! Get in on it.  Amaze your friends!

You’ll get lots of “clicks” on your youtube post and a zillion “likes” on your Facebook page.  Or course, Willy will be happy to take a selfie with you!

I think some of these folks are the same folks who walk up to buffalo in Yellowstone Park or grizzly bears and take selfies or try to pet them.

Let’s think about this for a moment.

I’m a trained SCUBA divemaster.  I grew up in Hawaii.  In the water and above the water.  I’ve worked as a scuba and snorkel guide.  I’ve got thousands of water hours.

I’ve swam with schools of hammerheads and other sharks. I’ve dove with giant squid. Many times, I’ve played with whalesharks and dolphin.  I kinda know my way around the water. 

Just a bit.SURE!  I DON”T MIND IF YOU JUMP ON MY BACK!  WE LOVE IT.  HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY!

But, hey…these are called “KILLER WHALES!”  Has everyone forgotten?

Joe and Martha from Kansas have not spent much time in the ocean.

I have been around killer whales. 

I’ve had them swim around our boats.  I’ve had them “playfully” bump our boats.  It kinda looks like they are grinning at you.  Then they open their mouths and show you all those teeth.

And yes, I’ve been to Sea World and other water theme parks and watch them do tricks .

I have never ever seen one act with malicious intent towards people. 

The events I mentioned above with dolphin and sealions?  That’s just orcas doing what orcas do. 

These are wild animals.  These are wild animals in their own environment.

And unlike sharks and other predators, I have no doubt these are smart intelligent animals.  They think.

Even if they are “playing” this is a 25-foot animal that can weigh up to 6 tons.  They can swim in 40 mph bursts.  Faster than a shark.  Faster than a dolphin.

Ever been hit by a truck going 40 mph?  Ever had one fall on you?

Many years ago, in Bahia Magdalena, they allowed divers to scuba dive with the “gentle” gray whales in the shallow bay.  One of the whales wanted to have some fun.

It “gently” tossed one diver into the air. Caught him on it’s nose then drove him some 30’ into the bottom!  No malicious intent.

Just doing what whales do! Almost killed the guy. Just an accident of course.

Scuba with the gray whales has since been prohibited.

I keep thinking what happens when one of these orcas decides to get frisky and playful?  Or worse yet…what if Willy gets irritated about being chased all over the ocean by pesky helicopters and boats full of people?

How would YOU react?

There are currently no rules or regulations about swimming with orcas.  And many outfitters are seeing the potential to cash-in on the cash cow. 

No training needed.  No guide needed.  No regulations.  I heard it’s $3000 to rent a panga to chase the orcas.  Snorkel and mask?  Sure, jump in!

All it’s gonna take is one accident. 

Personally, I’m gonna stay in the boat this round. I’ll go swim with the sharks!

That’s my story!

Jonathan

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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004.  Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico  www.tailhunter-international.com.  They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront.  If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com

Or drop by the restaurant to say hi.  It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!

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